Today I had my first photography showcase.Thought I was prepared; I wasn'tThought I would leave the house by 12:30. I didn'tWondered if I would find parking. I did. Then the meter ate my money.Since the meters took credit cards, I thought I was prepared. They didn't work

Lost my ID and my bank card. Didn't know itUntil 4 women yelled out my name (while I was going to add money to my parking ticket)"Are you Claire Toney?"I thought, "Hmmm, Yes, I am. Do I know you?""You dropped this" and they handed me my driver's license and my bank cardReminded me that there are good, honest people in the world after all. And I felt relieved. For a moment. Until I realized I was still parked illegally.

Was given a secret parking spotShhhh I can't tell whereFinally finished attaching my background to the metal fence panel.Discovered that I had the wrong size S hooksSad and wanted to cryBut I didn'tand drove to Home Depot and bought $50 worth of bigger S hooks. Just in case. And I made sure to keep the receipts. Because God knows that I won't use all of those damn S hooks.

Returned to the venue and my friend was there to help me set up. Hugged the coordinator's assistant who told me where Home Depot wasWe finished hanging my photographsFinished my booth,Finished.

Ate food.

Got my picture takenGot a video made, of me (!)

Got dressed.Met some people - Ryan, Martin (who is my brother's twin - no joke and boy do we have stories to tell), a few other photographers, and a really nice couple who had a tattoo booth. Time was up so I didn't get his name - drat

Took more selfies and Instagram pics

My hair dresser was the first I saw (I <3 her)Them more and more and more people came.Hugged them all

My creative consultant came and changed the way I looked at my portraits forever.I know now where I need to go. Funny how life takes you places and leads you to people that change your life forever.

Saw lots more people, scheduled appointments (yay!), hugged everyone that I recognized.Love of my life came and I think he actually had a good time. He is more social than I give him credit for =)

Things died down, started breaking down, lights turned off, background pulled down, boxes refilledWalked (fast!) to my car, brought it around to the front of the club. Insisted that I drive my friend and love of my life to their cars - are you kidding? it's dark out there and it's downtownLoaded the car, checked my space. All clear.

Drove my friend to her car (a couple blocks away!) and the love of my life to his car. Drove home.

Kids still awake with my friend who was watching them. Talked a bit. Made a promise to schedule a playdate (I <3 her too, and her kids)